JOBS AND ECONOMY TOP PRIORITY FOR PLAID

Ben Foday (second left) shaking hands with Dafydd Trystan with supporters

There are huge challenges ahead for Penarth that need addressing.  Issues such as inappropriate development, a proper Local Development Plan and a major focus on the economy are crying out for action. This was the message from the Westminster and National Assembly candidates for Plaid Cymru at the launch of their campaigns.

Party members were buoyed by the stunning Assembly by-election result in Anglesey and the equally impressive Caerffili council by-elections victories this month.

Jobs and the economy are top of Plaid agenda with a special emphasis on public bodies such as councils and the Health Trusts sourcing goods and services from local companies. If we could achieve the level that the Scottish Government manages to use local companies an extra 46,000 jobs could be created in Wales.

Ben Foday standing for Westminster said, “I am so delighted to be Plaid Cymru’s candidate in Cardiff South and Penarth for the 2015 Westminster election. This shows clearly that Plaid Cymru is a party is for everyone in Wales in general and Cardiff South and Penarth in particular. I am determined to give this true image of the party to the electorate over the period leading to the election.

Dafydd Trystan the Assembly candidate said, “I look forward to talking to thousands of residents across the constituency over the years ahead and placing Plaid's positive vision before the people in 2016. I'm sure that people will respond positively to the contrast between Plaid's vision and Labour's inaction.”

Massive Victory for Plaid Cymru on Ynys Môn

Island sends Rhun to Cardiff Bay

Champagne corks were popping across Anglesey and Wales last night as highly respected former BBC journalist, Rhun ap Iorwerth, recorded a resounding success and became the nation's newest Assembly Member.

Rhun, who lives with his family on the island where he also grew up, beat the shuttled-in Labour candidate Tal Michael into a distant second place with a stunning majority of 9,166 votes.

Such an emphatic result in the Assembly by-election, triggered by the stepping down of former Plaid Cymru leader and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, will be a sore disappointment for the Labour party who would have secured a majority in the Senedd had they taken the seat. 

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM

Newly elected Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales AM Rhun ap Iorwerth said: 

“I am committed to being a strong local voice for the people of Ynys Môn. I will grasp with both hands every opportunity to push for action to boost our economy and create jobs on the island. I also look forward to working with Leanne Wood and my Plaid Cymru colleagues to ensure that we become the biggest party in Wales. This is a pivotal time for Anglesey, and I will work from the outset to deliver a brighter future for Ynys Môn.”

The result saw an increase of over 16% in Plaid Cymru's share of the vote:

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) 12,601 (58.24%, +16.82%) 

Tal Michael (Lab) 3,435 (15.88%, -10.33%) 

Nathan Gill (UKIP) 3,099(+14.32%) 

Neil Fairlamb (Cons) 1,843 (8.52%, -20.70%) 

Kathrine Jones (Soc Lab) 348 (1.61%) 

Steve Churchman (Lib Dem) 309 (1.43%, -1.73%) 

Plaid maj 9,166 (42.37%) 

13.58% swing Lab to Plaid 

Electorate 51,024; turnout 21,635 (42.40%, -6.29%) 

Coming hot on the heels of Plaid Cymru's huge recent success in the island's county council elections this victory represents a party that is going from strength to strength, and it is clear that people are tired of the bland indifference to Wales consistently displayed by the London-based parties such as Labour. 

The Party of Wales' positive campaign reflects a passionate desire to find real solutions to our nation's problems and to build a fair, equal and economically resurgent country of which we can all be proud. That desire is clearly now striking a chord with the people of Wales as we approach the 2016 Welsh national elections.

£38 MILIWN ALLAN O ECONOMI’R FRO

Coalition welfare reforms will take £38 million out of Vale economy

Mae ymgyrchwr lleol Plaid Cymru, Osian Lewis, wedi awgrymu y bydd pobl y Fro yn dioddef yn enbyd ar ôl y datgeliad y bydd y Fro yn colli £38 miliwn mewn blwyddyn o ganlyniad i newidiadau nawdd cymdeithasol.

Iain Duncan-Smith

Erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf, amcangyfrifwyd y bydd Cymru gyfan wedi colli dros biliwn o bunnoedd o ganlyniad i’r gwahanol newidiaduau i’r system lles.

Dywed yr adroddiad, gan y Ganolfan Ymchwil Economaidd a Chymdeithasol Rhanbarthol ym Mhrifysgol Sheffield Hallam, fod hyn yn cyfateb i golli £473 am bob oedolyn mewn oedran gwaith yn y Fro.

Dywedodd Osian Lewis: “Mae dyfnder a graddfa enfawr y toriadau a amlinellir yn yr adroddiad hwn yn erchyll. Mae’n anfaddeuol cymryd mwy na biliwn o bunnoedd o bocedi’r sawl all ei fforddio leiaf yng Nghymru. Mae llawer o deuluoedd sydd ar hyn o bryd yn ymdrechu i gadw eu pennau uwchlaw’r don yn awr yn cael eu taflu i ddyfnder tlodi ac mae’n bwysig nodi hefyd y bydd y newidiadau hyn mewn gwirionedd yn dwyn ymaith y cymhelliant i weithio oddi wrth fwy o bobl nac y byddant yn helpu.”

SWEEPING GAINS FOR PLAID CYMRU

Plaid secures largest party status on Anglesey

Leanne Wood celebrating on Anglesey

Voters on Anglesey have been to the polls to elect their representatives on the local authority, after suffering years of mismanagement by a coalition of independent councillors.

The council, which was taken into the control of Welsh Government-appointed commissioners in 2011, now has 12 Plaid Cymru councillors, making the Party of Wales the largest party on the island ahead of the Labour Party, who have three, and the Liberal Democrats, who have one.

Speaking after the result was announced, a Plaid Cymru spokesperson, said: “This result is not only testament to the hard work of local candidates and members but also reflects the desire of local people to have a strong and effective group of local councillors that they can trust”.

Leanne shows support for 20mph zones

Community safety in Penarth a priority for Plaid

The Party of Wales Leader, Leanne Wood, has outlined her support for increasing the number of 20mph zones, saying:  “We now have more than 550 zones across Wales,  many of them funded by the Welsh Government."

Leanne Wood AM - leader of Plaid Cymru 

“When Plaid Cymru was in the coalition government, we encouraged councils to introduce such zones where they were needed, especially near schools."

“I very much welcome the proposals for 20mph zones in Penarth, as they can be a big help to reducing the speed of traffic and preventing serious accidents."

“Evidence suggests that reductions in speed limits save lives and reduce serious injuries.  A trial in Port Talbot, for example, led to a reduction of 48% in personal injuries.”

Ms Wood, who is an Assembly Member for South Wales Central, which includes Penarth, added: “As an Assembly, we must do all we can to encourage more 20mph zones to reduce casualties and make Wales one of the safest countries in the world for pedestrians.”

20’s Plenty for Penarth! 

Local campaign set to be launched

Groups and individuals from across Penarth are being invited to join a new campaign by local residents calling for a default 20mph speed limit in the town. The 20’s Plenty for Penarth group is being launched in the hope of making our residential streets and roads safer and healthier for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The move is part of a Europe-wide campaign and similar groups have already been established in many other towns and cities.

The local campaign will be launched with a public meeting at the Windsor Arms public house on Thursday 21^st March at 7pm, and Plaid Cymru Penarth would urge all who care for our local environment and the safety of our community to get involved. Entrance to the meeting is free and is open to all.

A website has been set up at www.penarth.20splentyforus.org.uk containing a petition and facility through which donations can be made via Paypal.

Hwyl a Sbri at the Windsor Arms 

Details of St David's Day Celebrations 

Plaid Cymru Penarth is proud to announce that we will be presenting an evening of quality live entertainment to celebrate St David's Day on the 1^st March.

The public event will take place at the Windsor Arms and will feature popular local rock and pop band Wide Open Spaces along with support from Rowland Davies.

This will be the first time that Plaid Cymru Penarth has hosted an evening of this type and it is hoped that it will become a firm fixture in the town's cultural calendar in future years.  So don your daffodil with pride and come along to celebrate our patron saint’s day with great music, company and beverages of your choice!

The Windsor Arms is a excellent venue, long at the heart of social and cultural life in Penarth and noted for its varied live music and superb range of real ales. It is located on the main bus route of Windsor Road, close to the town centre and is just a two minute walk from Dingle Road railway station.

Further details to follow soon.